It Is Said That Friendly Forces Are Meant To Be Suppressed

Facing the menacing Knight of the Yangtze, Jizi flashed a fawning smile, attempting to deceive the other party's senses.

"Um, I'm actually friendly fire!"

The response was a fire hydrant smashing down hard.

"Duang!"

At the last second, Jizi used the Mana she had just replenished to enhance her agility, narrowly dodging.

"I'm really friendly fire!"

"Duang!"

"I was trying to save that little girl!"

"Duang!"

"Hey, hey, hey! Listen to me!"

"Duang!"

"Damn it, you're getting a kick out of this since I'm not fighting back! Eat my sword—"

"Duang!"

"Big brother, I was wrong! I'll leave! I'll leave, okay?!"

"Duang!"

"This is all my property, a total of 450 silver dollars, all yours! Please let me go!"

"Duang!"

"Damn it, I paid 450 and you still won't protect me, this is too much!"

"Duang!"

"Oh no! Call the police! The city guards are beating people!"

"Duang! Duang! Duang! Duang!"

In fact, from the fact that Jizi still had the energy to quip and joke, it could be seen that Berserker was not posing a significant threat for the moment. Having just received Mana (blood) from Rin Tohsaka, if she were only dodging, enemies without AOE or control abilities would be unable to do anything to her, given the agility granted by the Assassin Class.

What's more, she didn't need to worry about Yanye harming Rin, so her actions were even more relaxed.

However, in Rin's eyes, the situation was completely different. From her perspective, the wounds on Assassin that were left to protect her were still bleeding, especially the hole-like wound on her abdomen that was pierced by a tentacle, which looked terrifying. Just looking at it made her feel immense pain, yet she had to move at high speed to dodge the attacks of the man in black armor. The suffering she had to endure was imaginable.

Those joking words were just to make me think she was fine, deliberately putting on an act—Sister Assassin, you've truly suffered.

Rin desperately wanted to do something, but the newly arrived armored man had, upon his appearance, driven back the previously imposing tentacle monster. Faced with that power, she probably wouldn't even be able to delay him for a second.

"Damn it!"

For the first time in her life, Rin felt a strong resentment towards her own powerlessness.

However, she, who was indulging in self-pity, did not notice a pair of veiny, pale hands grab her from behind.

"Yaaah!"

"Kiritsugu! Kiritsugu!"

Burying her head in her husband's embrace, Irisviel's pent-up emotions finally found an outlet. All etiquette, reserve, and the like were cast aside. Now, she was just a woman seeking comfort in her lover's arms.

"..."

Kiritsugu Emiya didn't know how to comfort his wife, so he could only awkwardly pat her back gently. Moreover, even for him, who was usually so cold, he wouldn't inappropriately ask Irisviel what happened in this situation.

"Kiritsugu, the lady did not suffer any harm. The kidnapper even used very advanced technology to treat her."

"Mhm."

The Magus Killer nodded to his subordinate, Maiya Hisau, who was reporting, indicating that he had heard. At the same time, he conveyed a "we'll talk about this later" sentiment.

That's right, the person who had broken into the cabin where Irisviel was held captive was Maiya Hisau, who had been out of contact for many days. Originally, during the demolition operation, she had fallen into enemy hands due to an unforeseen situation, and Kiritsugu had thought he had lost her. However, not only did she escape, but she also rescued Irisviel.

According to her, Kirei Kotomine had retreated due to Lancer's arrival, and then she was captured by Kayneth's group. However, she was not interrogated. The other party simply imprisoned her casually and provided her with a fixed amount of food and water daily.

Then, until a few hours ago, Kayneth met with her and cast a certain magic on her, forcing her to go to a designated location. It was there that she found Irisviel, and the magic on her was also removed.

Confused by everything that had happened, she still decided to save Irisviel first.

The result was that they were finally reunited in what had almost become the ruins of Eizbern Castle.

While comforting his wife, Kiritsugu's mind was analyzing the information brought by Maiya—Irisviel was clearly abducted by Kirei Kotomine, so why did Kayneth know about it? And for what reason did he let Maiya go and have her rescue Iris? Also, had the effect of the magic Kayneth used on Maiya truly disappeared?

Unknown, unknown, unknown! Everything was unknown. Both Kayneth and Kirei Kotomine were mysteries in terms of their actions and motives. If a killer has no knowledge of his target, his actions are doomed to failure.

However, the Magus Killer was not named Magus Killer for nothing. He had considerable confidence in his own strength, and no matter who the opponent was, he was sure he could handle them!

Just like always.

"Rin, it's me!"

The moment she was grabbed, Rin cried out in surprise. Although she knew that doing so would only distract Assassin, human instinct was not something that could be overcome with mere words.

The very next moment, a familiar voice sounded behind him. Though he hadn't heard it in a while, and it was slightly different from his memory, she recognized it. It was one of the voices she most looked forward to hearing—

"Uncle Yanye?"

"Yes, Rin, it's me."

Less than a year had passed since their last meeting in the park, but Yanye's voice had aged excessively, as if squeezed out by scraping a violin string against a worn-out shoe.

"It's okay, don't be afraid. I'll save you."

Rin turned around. Due to the dim light and her hood, she couldn't see Yanye's disfigured face. She only sensed that "Uncle Yanye" was somehow different from the person she knew. However, with years of trust and affection built up, and him saying he was here to save her, Rin didn't doubt him further.

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Right, if my own strength isn't enough, I'll find someone else to help.

"Uncle Yanye, can you help her first!"

Unaware that Yanye was the Master of the armored figure, Rin pointed at Jizi and made this request.

"What?"

Yanye, who thought Jizi was also trying to abduct Rin, was momentarily confused.

"She's very seriously injured saving me. If this continues, she'll die!"

Because Jizi's movements were large, her wounds naturally tore open, and blood splattered everywhere as she moved.

However, all that blood was merely generated to mimic a "human form." It was red liquid without any actual effect. Jizi could also simulate blood with actual effects, but that would only consume more Mana without any benefit, so why bother?

Of course, Rin didn't know this. She was still anxiously begging Yanye to save Jizi, completely oblivious to Yanye's complex expression—though, she couldn't have seen it anyway.

"She's lost so much blood, she'll die! Uncle Yanye, please, think of something!"

Finally, after carefully choosing his words, Yanye spoke:

"Rin, do you know that person?"

"Yes! She's Father's new assistant. She also used to be the housekeeper, pick me up from school, and protect my mother and me."

Rin blurted out everything she could think of, emphasizing that Jizi had protected her and Aoi, hoping to move Yanye.

Yanye naturally knew that the person who could hold out against Berserker for so long must also be a Servant. He hadn't known who it was before, but after hearing Rin's description—Tokiomi Tohsaka's new assistant? Heh. Given Tokiomi Tohsaka's and the local church's usual behavior, she was definitely an Assassin.

The claim of parting ways with Kirei Kotomine was probably just a lie to cover their tracks!

Understanding the situation, Yanye began to hesitate. If he let Berserker eliminate that Assassin now, it would be a significant blow to Tohsaka's influence, and Tohsaka's setback would be his own pleasure!

However, on the other hand, that person was seriously injured by Caster while saving Rin. It seemed wrong to kick her while she was down, especially with Rin watching. Yanye couldn't bring himself to kill someone in front of her.

Knocking Rin unconscious was also an option, but... that was Rin! Aoi, Sakura, and Rin were the last rays of light in Yanye's soul, for whom he had abandoned everything and had only a little over a month left to live. He had made himself so monstrous precisely so he could play in the park with these three again.

Therefore, he couldn't bring himself to harm Rin, not even by knocking her unconscious.

"Sigh, for helping Rin and Aoi... but this is a one-time thing."

Sensing the Master's command, Berserker stopped its frenzied attack on Jizi and vanished in a cloud of black mist, becoming spiritualized.

"Are you alright!"

The moment Berserker disappeared, Rin rushed to Jizi's side, looking at her worriedly. She raised her hand as if to touch the gaping hole in her abdomen, but seemed afraid of hurting her.

"Probably... I won't die, anyway."

Her body, which had been on the verge of collapse, finally gave way after Berserker retreated and the situation stabilized. Jizi fell backward onto the ground in a spread-eagle position, but she managed to squeeze out a sound, indicating she was still alive.

Then, Matou Yanye also walked over. Jizi weakly nodded at him.

"Matou Yanye? Thank you."

"For Rin's sake..."

Knowing that Yanye meant he wouldn't hold back next time, Jizi wasn't displeased. After catching her breath, she said, "I'll safely deliver Rin to Mrs. Tohsaka. Instead of worrying about her, you should focus more on Sakura."

"..." Yanye was a bit surprised. Did the Assassin know that too? This wasn't something a Servant should be concerned about. "Sakura, she'll be fine."

"Heh, have the worms eaten your brain?" Jizi said with great disappointment. "Putting aside whether you can get the Grail, even if you do, how can you guarantee that old worm will keep his promise?"

"...He just wants immortality. The Holy Grail is enough for that."

"And then what? What will a mage like Zouken Matou do once he obtains the power of immortality? Do you think he'll use his infinite lifespan to benefit humanity? Will he get along with the Tohsaka family?"

"..."

"It would be more reliable for you to wish on the Grail to completely erase his existence."

"..."

"Why aren't you speaking?"

"...You're Tokiomi Tohsaka's pawn. Why are you considering my interests?"

"If the reason is that Zouken Matou's actions are unbearable even for me, an Assassin—can you accept that reason?"

"Hmph..."

After that, Matou Yanye didn't speak again, but Jizi could tell he was wavering. Although he couldn't make up his mind immediately, a seed had at least been planted.

Using the remaining Mana that Jizi had obtained from Rin, she completed her basic recovery. While she couldn't fight, it was more than enough to send Rin home safely. After letting Rin say goodbye to Yanye, they started their journey back to the station.

They traveled in silence until they were close to their destination. Rin suddenly stopped and tugged on Jizi's clothes, saying, "Asashin."

"Hm?" Jizi crouched down to meet her gaze.

"I'm still young and don't understand much..." Rin's expression was a little awkward.

"So you finally have some self-awareness!"

"That was a humble remark! And don't interrupt me!" Rin's shy demeanor lasted only a few seconds before her true nature showed through. "What I wanted to say is, even if I didn't quite understand everything you and Uncle Yanye were talking about, but—is Sakura not doing well?"

The previous conversations with Caster and Matou Yanye had, more or less, revealed some sensitive terms. At the same time, Rin had also witnessed the strange phenomenon of the large hole in Jizi's abdomen healing at a visible speed. Yet, she didn't question these things. Instead, she was concerned about her sister's situation.

This also troubled Jizi a little. If Rin had truly asked her about "Hero" or "Cup," she could have bluffed her way through it. But when it came to Sakura... Jizi found herself unsure whether to tell the truth or lie.

She really didn't want Rin to get too involved in these matters.

Ps1. Speaking of which, the number of collections for this book is quite a remarkable figure...

Ps2. Happy birthday, you know who you are.